Author

Caleb Herman

Date of Award

4-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Graduate Education

First Advisor

Patricia C. Kornelis

Abstract

Research demonstrates that college is a stressful time of life, especially for student-athletes who are involved in both athletics and academics (Lopes Dos Santos et al., 2020). While research exists that proposes strategies for helping either students or athletes cope with the stress that they face, very little research specifically addresses the needs of student-athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine effective ways in which coaches can mitigate stress for student-athletes at faith-based universities. Through a measurement of the anxiety and depression levels that student-athletes at Dordt University experience, correlations were made between exhaustion levels, a reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation of 125 athletes on campus. Coaches were then interviewed to determine their awareness of student-athletes stress as well as mitigation strategies they have implemented. This study found that the primary way in which coaches at this faith-based institution attempt to help their student-athletes cope with stress is by focusing on the coach-athlete relationship.

Comments

Action Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Education

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